ICS... Where Faith and Learning Go Hand in Hand
Immaculate Conception School
Immaculate Conception School (ICS) in Clarksville, TN, is a diocesan parochial school, approved by the Bishop of Nashville operating under the supervision of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Nashville. ICS is accredited by the State of Tennessee and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The pastor is the chief administrator of the parish, and the principal of the school is responsible for the administration of the school and for instructional programming.
ICS received state approval status (Initial Accreditation) through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools April 22, 2004. In the Spring of 2013, we received continued accreditation through SACS. Immaculate Conception School is also accredited by SACS along with all the other Catholic schools in the diocese of Nashville. This district-wide accreditation is only the 4th in the United States. All schools in the district exceed requirements for SACS accreditation.
We are a Catholic school, serving children from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Our mission is to develop the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social growth of each child by providing a quality educational experience in an atmosphere of faith.
Our curriculum includes Religion, Language Arts (Phonics, Reading/Literature, English Grammar/Composition, and Spelling/Vocabulary), Handwriting, Mathematics (including Pre-Algebra and Algebra I for qualified junior high students), Science, Social Studies/Geography/History, Safety/Drug Awareness, Spanish, Family Life, Music, Art, Computer Education, and Physical Education.
ICS is a feeder school to our diocesan college preparatory high school, Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, TN. Our students who attend JPII are consistently recognized for their academic success. Regardless of where students will continue their education following ICS, they will be well prepared academically and socially with tools that will help them navigate the world of high school and beyond.
TEACHING FAITH AT ICS
Immaculate Conception School is a worshipping community - a school of faith for all faiths - and religion is the distinctive mark of every Catholic school. We provide daily religious instruction to all student, and each has the opportunity to play an important role in the celebration of weekly Mass, Holy Days and special liturgical celebrations. Children of all Christian traditions and all faiths are welcome; we learn about God together in a welcoming and inclusive environment where prayer is always an integral part of our day.
Anyone is welcome to attend Mass with the students and staff. All grades come together on a regular basis to worship as a single school family.
ICS received state approval status (Initial Accreditation) through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools April 22, 2004. In the Spring of 2013, we received continued accreditation through SACS. Immaculate Conception School is also accredited by SACS along with all the other Catholic schools in the diocese of Nashville. This district-wide accreditation is only the 4th in the United States. All schools in the district exceed requirements for SACS accreditation.
We are a Catholic school, serving children from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Our mission is to develop the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social growth of each child by providing a quality educational experience in an atmosphere of faith.
Our curriculum includes Religion, Language Arts (Phonics, Reading/Literature, English Grammar/Composition, and Spelling/Vocabulary), Handwriting, Mathematics (including Pre-Algebra and Algebra I for qualified junior high students), Science, Social Studies/Geography/History, Safety/Drug Awareness, Spanish, Family Life, Music, Art, Computer Education, and Physical Education.
ICS is a feeder school to our diocesan college preparatory high school, Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, TN. Our students who attend JPII are consistently recognized for their academic success. Regardless of where students will continue their education following ICS, they will be well prepared academically and socially with tools that will help them navigate the world of high school and beyond.
TEACHING FAITH AT ICS
Immaculate Conception School is a worshipping community - a school of faith for all faiths - and religion is the distinctive mark of every Catholic school. We provide daily religious instruction to all student, and each has the opportunity to play an important role in the celebration of weekly Mass, Holy Days and special liturgical celebrations. Children of all Christian traditions and all faiths are welcome; we learn about God together in a welcoming and inclusive environment where prayer is always an integral part of our day.
Anyone is welcome to attend Mass with the students and staff. All grades come together on a regular basis to worship as a single school family.
Beliefs
The beliefs of Immaculate Conception School are based on the premise that God has uniquely created each child and that each child has his/her own worth, dignity, integrity, and eternal destiny.
The faculty and staff of Immaculate Conception School endeavor to:
Immaculate Conception School will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, or national origin in its education programs, activities or enrollment.
The faculty and staff of Immaculate Conception School endeavor to:
- Affirm the role of parents/guardians as primary educators.
- Develop in all students a respect for the dignity and rights of others.
- Assist students in developing an understanding of Christ and His Church.
- Teach as Jesus did, proclaiming the Good News and translating this proclamation into action.
- Present a variety of learning experiences that take into consideration the needs and gifts of all students.
- Instill in students a love for learning which allows students to be challenged beyond what they learn in the classroom.
Immaculate Conception School will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, or national origin in its education programs, activities or enrollment.
A Glance through the Years. . .
Immaculate Conception School was founded in 1860 by Immaculate Conception Church under the name St. Aloysius School for Boys and Girls. It was located at the corner of 7th and Franklin Streets on what is now the parking lot of the church’s Columbus Hall. In 1876, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth from Bardstown, KY took over operation of the school. In 1880, the school was moved to new property on the opposite corner of 7th and Franklin Streets.
A New Name The parish was originally named St. Mary’s. At the time of the move from the first church, located at 4th and College Streets, the parish changed its name to The Church of the Immaculate Conception. At the same time the name of the school was changed to St. Mary’s School in honor of the first name of the parish. In the fall of 1887, Dominican Sisters from the Congregation of St. Cecilia in Nashville, TN took over operating the school. In 1916, then pastor Fr. Alphonse Nolan, a renowned sculptor and builder, began the construction of a new building which remained in use from 1917 to 1968. In 1968, with a downturn in enrollment and the economy, coupled with the need for a more modern building, the decision was made to close St. Mary’s School.
A New Beginning By 1999, there was growing interest among parish members of Immaculate Conception to revive a Catholic elementary school for the education and faith formation of their children. The Jubilee Year of 2000 marked the return of St. Mary’s Catholic School at the current site on Madison Street. The new St. Mary’s School opened its doors on August 15, 2000 serving grades Kindergarten through Fourth, implementing an additional grade each year until Eighth was established. St. Mary’s School operates in conjunction with St. Mary’s Preschool, which serves our youngest children starting at age one and culminating with a pre-Kindergarten program.
Moving Forward Most recently,in 2011, the name of the school has once again been changed -- to Immaculate Conception School. In order to solidify the school identity with the parish, the parish name was extended to include the Elementary and Middle School, as well as the Preschool.
A New Name The parish was originally named St. Mary’s. At the time of the move from the first church, located at 4th and College Streets, the parish changed its name to The Church of the Immaculate Conception. At the same time the name of the school was changed to St. Mary’s School in honor of the first name of the parish. In the fall of 1887, Dominican Sisters from the Congregation of St. Cecilia in Nashville, TN took over operating the school. In 1916, then pastor Fr. Alphonse Nolan, a renowned sculptor and builder, began the construction of a new building which remained in use from 1917 to 1968. In 1968, with a downturn in enrollment and the economy, coupled with the need for a more modern building, the decision was made to close St. Mary’s School.
A New Beginning By 1999, there was growing interest among parish members of Immaculate Conception to revive a Catholic elementary school for the education and faith formation of their children. The Jubilee Year of 2000 marked the return of St. Mary’s Catholic School at the current site on Madison Street. The new St. Mary’s School opened its doors on August 15, 2000 serving grades Kindergarten through Fourth, implementing an additional grade each year until Eighth was established. St. Mary’s School operates in conjunction with St. Mary’s Preschool, which serves our youngest children starting at age one and culminating with a pre-Kindergarten program.
Moving Forward Most recently,in 2011, the name of the school has once again been changed -- to Immaculate Conception School. In order to solidify the school identity with the parish, the parish name was extended to include the Elementary and Middle School, as well as the Preschool.
